49ers training camp: Updated bubble watch after opening cuts

Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Tevin Coleman, Raheem Mostert, 49ers
Tevin Coleman #26, Raheem Mostert #31 and Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) /

49ers Running Back

Lock: Kyle Juszczyk, Tevin Coleman, Jerick McKinnon, Raheem Mostert

Strong Bubble: Jeff Wilson Jr.

Weak Bubble: Salvon Ahmed*, JaMycal Hasty*

Long Shot: Josh Hokit*

Jeff Wilson is on the reserve/COVID-19 list. But even if he returns in time and is cleared, he’s by no means guaranteed a roster spot.

Behind the likely trio of Tevin Coleman, Jerick McKinnon and Raheem Mostert, it’s likely head coach Kyle Shanahan will want to add a fourth body to guard against injury and offer up a different skill set. The undrafted rookie, Salvon Ahmed out of Washington, has a similar skill set to another tailback the 49ers parted ways with this offseason, now-Miami Dolphins tailback Matt Breida. Another UDFA, JaMycal Hasty, has similar traits to McKinnon, although the former’s pass-protection skills need a lot of work.

Both Ahmed and Hasty are excellent candidates for the practice squad if neither is able to crack the 53-man roster.

The same goes for Fresno fullback Josh Hokit. Why? Well, the starting fullback, Kyle Juszczyk, is entering a contract year. Given San Francisco’s relatively precarious salary cap situation entering 2021, it might be too difficult for the team to retain the older, more-expensive Juszczyk on a new deal.

That opens the door for Hokit to potentially take over lead-blocking duties in 2021.